Exhibition of works by Vladimir Mochalov. Portrait caricature in graphics and painting

On April 17, 2018 at 16:00 in the halls of the Russian Academy of Arts (Prechistenka 21), the grand opening of a retrospective exhibition of works by academician of the Russian Academy of Arts Vladimir Georgievich Mochalov will be held, dedicated to the artist’s anniversary - the 70th anniversary of the master.

The exhibition will feature about 200 works created by the artist for his fruitful creative life. The famous caricaturist Vladimir Mochalov is best known for his graphic works performed in the genre of satirical portraiture and cartoon on famous personalities. His witty, bold and unexpected caricatures became the hallmark of the master, making him famous not only within Russia, but also abroad. Among the iconic works of the artist are caricatures of Russian politicians, entertainers, athletes, actors, directors, heroes of Russian pop culture. Mochalov, however, is not limited to a purely Russian context - foreign celebrities also fall into the author’s sight - for example, former US President Bill Clinton praised the artist’s wit and wit, noting the cartoon himself with a letter of thanks. The artist himself writes the following on this occasion: “I painted portraits of those who voluntarily or involuntarily influenced world history of the 20th century and the history of Russia. I have always been interested in politics. Through politics, I see and understand my country better. I love and study history, comprehend it, and caricature makes it possible to express my attitude to what is happening and is happening, past and present. ”

Vladimir Mochalov was born in Moscow in 1948, studied at the Moscow Art School, graduated from the Graphics Department of the Moscow Polygraphic Institute. He began his career as an engraver at the Goznak factory. Since 1969, the artist began to study in the art studio of the Crocodile magazine, and in 1984 he became the chief artist of the magazine and worked in it until its closure in 2000. For a long time, Mochalov collaborated with such publications as “Youth”, “Rural Youth”, “New Time”, “Moscow Truth”, “Izvestia”, “Interlocutor”, “New Russian Word”. Since 1991, international recognition has also come to the artist - his drawings began to be published abroad: in Belgium, Austria, France, Japan, Turkey and other countries. Abroad, his graphic works were very popular, as evidenced by publications in the magazines Time, Newsweek, New Yorker and many other publications. Mochalov is a winner and laureate of numerous domestic and foreign caricature contests.

In 2002, Vladimir Mochalov turned to portraiture and created many portraits of famous politicians, artists and sports. The artist depicts them through the prism of irony, showing all the famous heroes in images that are unexpected for themselves and the audience.

The exhibition will also feature extensively presented landscapes and still lifes of the artist, made in the technique of pasty multi-layer painting. Vladimir Mochalov traveled a lot around the world, as a result of which he created a significant number of paintings. These are mainly urban and industrial landscapes that once inspired the artist. A fascinating chronicle of the wizard’s wanderings will unfold before the audience, in which he shares his impressions of the trips.

The exhibition is open to visitors from April 17 to May 13, 2018.